Memphis (5-1, 2-0 American) at No. 24 Navy (4-1, 3-0)
Line: Memphis by 2½.
Series Record: Navy leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Surprising Navy seeks to remain in the Top 25 after gaining entry two weeks ago with a 46-40 upset of Houston. The winner of this game takes over sole possession of first place in the AAC West, and Memphis will become bowl eligible by virtue of its sixth victory of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Memphis defense vs. Navy’s triple option. As always, the key to stopping the Midshipmen is containing their prolific running attack. Houston couldn’t do it, and Memphis wasn’t up to the task last year in a 45-20 loss to Navy. In that game, the Midshipmen rushed for 374 yards and five rushing TDs. The Tigers, however, stuffed Tulane’s triple option last week in a 24-14 victory.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Memphis: QB Riley Ferguson has thrown for 1,596 yards, an average of 266 per game, and has 12 TD passes compared to six INTs. Sixteen different players have at least one reception for the Tigers, but the top two targets are Phil Mayhue, who has a catch in 22 straight games, and Anthony Miller, who’s registered 18 consecutive games with a reception.
Navy: QB Will Worth has a team-high six TDs, ranks second with 288 yards rushing and has been surprisingly effective throwing the ball. He’s 38 for 52 with three TDs and is averaging 17.7 yards per completion. WR Jamir Tillman has caught 18 of Worth’s 34 completion.
FACTS & FIGURES
Navy has won 13 straight at home. … Memphis leads the nation with 18 takeaways. … Navy is 21-4 over its last 25 games and 10-1 in AAC play since joining the conference last year. … Tigers K Jake Elliott has scored 381 points in his career, most in school history. … Navy has not played since beating Houston on Oct. 8. Last week’s game against East Carolina was postponed. … Memphis has scored at least 34 points in five of six games.
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AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org
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